The handling of the CAM1 VCS is extremely easy due to a post and three micropositioners which allow quick and precise adjustment and focusing.

The observation site is homogeneously illuminated by four green LEDs ensuring an optimal contrast for imaging with the CCD camera. An electronic shutter gives sharper images and reduces blurring of red blood cells.

The integral high quality CCD camera is extremely sensitive and gives high resolution images of 752 x 582 pixels. A range of lenses are available providing magnifications from 80x to 750x.

The workplatform provides a strong rigid stand for the CAM1 VCS. Different fixing devices are available allowing a stable observation for examinations of the nailfold and fingers, legs, etc.

The system can be upgraded any time:

• Digital Image Acquisition and Analysis comprising standardised evaluation software for routine clinical and patient data recording.
• Laser Doppler Anemometer for measuring blood cell velocity in single capillaries in real time and non-invasively.
• Fluorescence Measure-ments.

The CapiScope Image Acquisition and Analysis software for Windows 95 provides a simple and uncomplicated means to capture and store capillaroscopy images from video.

The video source is a live signal from the CAM1 VCS which is captured by a high quality frame grabber board with an integral high speed video display. The live video can be shown on the PC screen, or optionally on a separate video monitor.

A single image can be frozen at any time by a mouse click or sequences of frames are captured by a predefined timer. Input brightness and contrast of the live video or frozen images are adjustable in order to obtain highest image quality.

Once frozen the image can be saved to disk to be analysed later. Images can be exported as *.bmp or *.tif files. For scientific research all examination results can be exported to any Windows based spreadsheet programmes. The digital recording allows saving the image in an archive together with the patient data and a standardised examination results table.

The analysis of the image includes the assessment of numerical capillary density, capillary diameter and distance, length of capillaries etc. This is done either for the whole image or a user defined region of interest. The system is calibrated to µm. The results are presented in a patient file designed for routine clinical purposes.

The system can be upgraded any time:

• Laser Doppler Anemometer for measuring blood cell velocity in single capillaries in real time and non-invasively.
• Fluorescence Measurements

The CAM1 Laser Doppler Anemometer measures blood cell velocities in single capillaries in a unique new way.

A low power near infrared laser is focused to a 10 micron diameter beam which can be positioned onto a single capillary. The built-in high resolution CCD camera allows continuous monitoring of the capillary position either on the computer screen or a separate video monitor.

The laser beam is reflected by moving blood cells at the focal point. The frequency of the reflected beam is Doppler shifted. The detected shift is directly proportional to the velocity of the reflecting blood cells.

The CAM1 interface card digitally processes the signals. Due to the fast response time cardiac and vasomotion responses of the capillary blood flow can be followed. Velocities ranging from 0.1 mm/s to 14.6 mm/s are detectable with a 8 bit resolution.

A Windows based software provides an easy-to-use tool for the online display of the velocity measurements, control, data storage and advanced data analysis.